The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has more than $9 million in unclaimed refunds for 6,400 Rhode Island taxpayers who failed to file their federal tax returns for 2003, according to the IRS’ regional office in Boston.
Some of those taxpayers also may be eligible for the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit.
To claim that money, however, they must file returns no later than Tuesday, April 17. “You simply can’t get the money we owe you unless you file a return,” IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson said in a statement.
There is no penalty for late filing when a return qualifies for a refund, the IRS notes. But in most cases, if no return was filed, the law gives taxpayers only three years to claim a refund; after that, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.
Refunds to taxpayers who have not yet filed returns for 2004 or 2005 will be held by the IRS until those returns are filed, the agency said. And if the taxpayer owes money to the IRS or has failed to pay child support or owes money on past-due federal debts, such as student loans, the refund may be applied toward those debts.
Generally, unmarried individuals qualified for the Earned Income credit (EITC) if in 2003 they earned less than $11,230 and had no qualifying child living with them; earned less than $29,666 with one qualifying child; or earned less than $33,692 and had more than one qualifying child. Limits are slightly higher for married individuals filing jointly.
Federal current and past-year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications page at IRS.gov or by calling (800) TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Federal taxpayer assistance is available at (800) 829-1040.
